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2017 was a year where I really needed the escape into pop culture. I buried myself in books and TV as much as possible (gee, I wonder why?) — but it didn’t always work out! I tried and then tapped out of The CW’s Riverdale. Despite all of the X-Men connections, something about The Gifted on FOX just puts me to sleep. I bailed on Showtime’s highly anticipated revival of Twin Peaks after four episodes. There’s only so much self-indulgence and [ominous whooshing] a gal can take (and I don’t buy the ’18-hour movie’ defense). I changed cable packages and lost access to OWN, so I’m behind on Queen Sugar. Plus, I had to put one of my favorite soaps — The Bold and the Beautiful — on pause because it stopped being fun to watch.

But, thankfully, there was still more than enough media to keep me engaged! Check out my faves and raves.

Favorite BooksWhite Hot by Ilona AndrewsEtched in Bone by Anne BishopStillhouse Lake and Killman Creek by Rachel CaineAn Unnatural Vice by KJ CharlesAn Extraordinary Union and A Hope Divided by Alyssa ColeTake the Lead by Alexis DariaGirl on the Verge by Pintip DunnWhen Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya MenonYou Bring the Distant Near by Mitali PerkinsHate To Want You by Alisha RaiThe Red by Tiffany ReiszAmerican Prince by Sierra SimoneThe Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Favorite ShowsDays of our Lives (NBC)The Exorcist (FOX)The Get Down (canceled by Netflix)Good Behavior (TNT)The Good Place (NBC)The Originals (The CW)The Punisher (Netflix)Underground (canceled by those assholes at WGN)Wynonna Earp (SyFy)

It’s amazing how much of 2016 is a blur. I barely remember the beginning of it — what I watched, what I read. I’ve done a lot of “Wait, that happened THIS year?” as I look back on what media made an impact on me.

Winona Ryder made a jaw-dropping comeback in Netflix’s Stranger Things, and I was blown away by Millie Bobbie Brown as Eleven, but the show overall didn’t rank as one of my year-end faves. I binge-watched the first season of The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend but bailed on season two. I also gave up on Jane the Virgin season three — and I dumped several of last year’s faves: Quantico, UnREAL and The 100!

Perhaps the most blasphemous development of all: I totally forgot The X-Files came back this year! The revival was so underwhelming and half-assed, with Gillian Anderson the only bright spot, that all my years of fannish nostalgia couldn’t save it.

Here’s a look back at my 2016!

Favorite BooksMarked in Flesh by Anne BishopA Change of Heart by Sonali DevForbidden by Beverly JenkinsThe Edge of the Blade by Jeffe KennedyHeroine Complex by Sarah KuhnHold Me by Courtney MilanThe Bourbon Thief by Tiffany ReiszBeyond Surrender by Kit RochaThe Young Blood by Erin Satie

MVA (Most Valuable Author): Molly O’Keefe. I honestly couldn’t pick my favorite O’Keefe book of the year. She had so much great stuff come out, and I glommed it ALL. And she even got a cover shout-out in Suicide Squad!

Best TV Comeback:Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The introduction of Gabriel Luna’s Ghost Rider revitalized the show after a meh third season.